"On behalf of the British Government on this moving occasion, as a Briton, as a Conservative and as a passionate admirer of America, I am proud that we have made a home here in the centre of our city for President Ronald Reagan. It is a great honour for me personally to take part in a ceremony for a man who changed the political landscape at the time I first became involved in it He joins the ranks of great men and women whose statues adorn our London streets; Nelson, Wellington, Lincoln, Churchill, Roosevelt, Edith Cavell and Nelson Mandela. Statues bring us to face to face with our heroes long after they are gone. Ronald Reagan is without question a great American hero; one of America’s finest sons, and a giant of 20th Century history. You may be sure that the people of London will take his statue to their hearts."

He went on to read this message from Margaret Thatcher who, sadly, was unable to be present:

“Ronald Reagan was a great President and a great man - a true leader for our times. He held clear principles and acted upon them with purpose. Through his strength and his conviction he brought millions of people to freedom as the Iron Curtain finally came down. It was a pleasure to be his colleague and his friend and I hope that this statue will be a reminder to future generations of the debt we owe him.”

Etched into the bronze base of the statue, created by Chas Fagan of North Carolina, are, very appropriately, words from Margaret Thatcher:

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne hosted an event to raise money for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, at 11 Downing Street yesterday. He was joined by the Everton and former Manchester United football player, Phil Neville, who was accompanied by his wife and children.

“I don’t know if Coalition ministers here are the only Government Department to break out the bunting but DECC is certainly doing its bit to join in the wedding fun. It doesn’t take much to join in the spirit of this great patriotic celebration, in fact the ministerial team happily donated the princely sum of twenty two pounds to pay for all the decorations!”